# Pokémon GO vs Orb Master

The clearest difference is rating: Orb Master at 4.7 against Pokémon GO's 4.0. Orb Master also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). Pokémon GO's advantage is ratings volume (653K vs 1.5K) and update cadence (every 6 days vs monthly). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pokémon GO sells 21 one-off in-app purchases and Orb Master sells 20 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Orb Master holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pokémon GO has 653K ratings behind it against 1.5K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 44% of Pokémon GO's written reviews are positive against 33% of Orb Master's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Pokémon GO ships an update every 6 days, Orb Master monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pokémon GO | Orb Master |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (653K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pokemon-go/id1094591345/reviews) | **[4.7 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orb-master/id1518970399/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **653K** | 1.5K |
| Positive reviews | **43.8% of reviews** | 33.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#1** | — |
| Size | 404 MB | 1.5 GB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Scopely Explore, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1037205060) | [HONG KONG TOUDA CO., LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1526634119) |

## What reviewers say

### Pokémon GO

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pokemon-go/id1094591345)

**Currently charting:** #1 Top Grossing · Role Playing, #2 Top Free · Role Playing, #3 Top Grossing · Strategy, #11 Top Free · Strategy, #11 Top Grossing · Games, #45 Top Grossing, #73 Top Free · Games (US App Store)

Explore your real world to discover and catch creatures. Train your companions, battle in gyms, and team up with others for epic raids. Your adventure begins as you move through your environment.

**Highlights:** Explore and discover creatures, Catch creatures to complete Pokédex, Journey with Buddy Pokémon, Compete in Gym battles, Team up for Raid Battles, Augmented reality gameplay

**In-app purchases (21)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 100 PokéCoins | $0.99 | one-time |
| Event Bonus | $0.99 | one-time |
| Small Box | $1.99 | one-time |
| Evergreen Ticket 1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Event Ticket | $1.99 | one-time |
| Event Ticket | $4.99 | one-time |
| 550 PokéCoins | $4.99 | one-time |
| Ticket | $4.99 | one-time |
| Event Ticket | $7.99 | one-time |
| 1,200 PokéCoins | $9.99 | one-time |
| Event Pass Deluxe Plus Points | $9.99 | one-time |
| Finale Pass | $14.99 | one-time |
| Event Pass Deluxe | $14.99 | one-time |
| GO Fest Ticket | $14.99 | one-time |
| Finale Pass Plus Points | $19.99 | one-time |
| GO Pass Deluxe | $19.99 | one-time |
| 2,500 PokéCoins | $19.99 | one-time |
| Event Pass Deluxe Plus Points | $19.99 | one-time |
| GO Pass Deluxe Plus Points | $24.99 | one-time |
| 5,200 PokéCoins | $39.99 | one-time |
| 14,500 PokéCoins | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Addictive and fun gameplay
- 👍 Encourages outdoor activity
- 🚀 Frequent updates and new content
- 👍 Brings people together
- 🚀 Innovative AR features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and glitches
- 🔋 Drains battery quickly
- 🔒 Privacy concerns with data collection
- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases
- 🚫 Inaccessible for rural/disabled players

**Reported bugs**

- GPS/location issues causing gameplay problems
- Bugs with egg hatching and buddy Pokémon
- Inconsistent performance across devices
- Glitches with raid battles and rewards

**Requested features**

- In-game chat/communication system
- Ability to trade items between players
- More customization options for avatars
- Improved tracking and spawn system
- Easier access to rare/legendary Pokémon


### Orb Master

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orb-master/id1518970399)

Engage in fast-paced, real-time PVP battles by strategically choosing, merging, and leveling up powerful Orbs. Team up with friends to defeat monsters or compete against players worldwide in quick, exciting matches.

**Highlights:** Real-time PVP battles, Orb merging and leveling, Co-op monster battles, Diverse strategies and lineups, Collect unique skins and emojis, Multiple game modes

**In-app purchases (20)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Co-op Silver Card | $0.99 | one-time |
| $0.99 First Purchase Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Legendary Ball Pack 1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Legendary Ball Pack 2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Monthly Pass | $4.99 | one-time |
| $4.99 Pleasure Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| $4.99 Star Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| $4.99 Infinite pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| $4.99 Magic pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| $9.99 Pleasure Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| $9.99 Pro Lifetime Pass | $9.99 | one-time |
| $9.99 Infinite pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| $9.99 Magic pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| $9.99 Brawl Selectable Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| $9.99 Advanced Pass | $9.99 | one-time |
| $9.99 Token | $9.99 | one-time |
| $19.99 Pleasure Pack | $19.99 | one-time |
| $19.99 Collab Sign-up Pack | $19.99 | one-time |
| $99.99 Wish Pack | $99.99 | one-time |
| $279.99 Token | $279.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth gameplay
- 💡 Interesting fusion mechanics
- 👍 Fun co-op mode
- 🎨 Good visual design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔒 Lack of privacy/security concerns
- 💰 Excessive monetization and pay-to-win elements
- 🕹️ Unbalanced gameplay and matchmaking

**Reported bugs**

- Game not loading or crashing on launch
- Co-op mode not functioning properly
- Inconsistent damage calculations
- Accounts being deleted or unable to sign in

**Requested features**

- More language options
- Improved co-op matchmaking
- Ability to customize orb placements
- Fairer progression system


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pokémon GO free?

Pokémon GO is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Orb Master free?

Orb Master is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Pokémon GO or Orb Master?

Orb Master is rated higher. Pokémon GO averages 4.0 out of 5 from 653K ratings, while Orb Master averages 4.7 from 1.5K ratings.

### Do Pokémon GO or Orb Master have ads?

Both Pokémon GO and Orb Master show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Pokémon GO or Orb Master?

Pokémon GO ships an update every 6 days, and Orb Master monthly. Most recently, Pokémon GO was updated on September 26, 2026 and Orb Master on September 17, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*